Sonoff ZB Bridge Ultra: new and all powerful bridge to be the centrepiece if your zigbee network

[@bestyav5529]

Two things Sir 1) if I get you well we can't connect the ihost hub to the eWelink mobile app right? 2)I wanted to use the eWelink app to control the ZBminiL2 via the ihost hub . After several attempts nothing seems to work is there any possibility to make that happen ? Or I should just jump to the zigbee bridge ultra as you said?

[@csongorvarga]

You are correct. The zigbee network on the iHost and the eWeLink (using ZBB ultra, NSPanel Pro) are completely separate, and there is no possibility to control one from another. And I am not aware of any way to control the ZB mini from the eWelink app if it is linked to the iHost. I would recommend using a Wifi mini, pair it to the eWeLink app, and than use the eWelink plugin on the iHost to bring it into the iHost. That way it would be controllable by both "systems".

[@jannieoosthuizen3335]

Hi Csongor Have you tested the range (distance) of the Ultra? I was disappointed with the range on the Zigbee Pro version. Specification says 200m distance coverage (in the Turbo Mode). Not sure about this. Don't want to spend the money if I have problems !

[@alfredmb6174]

range is horrible, it loses signal less than 5 meters away. A device in the room next to it already loses signal.

[@jordancohen5653]

how many end devices can link to it without adding extra routers?

[@PetervdSanden]

Hello, Why can't i find the Sonoff SNZB-05P waterleak sensor anywhere, bud on the Ewelink channel on YT?

[@csongorvarga]

I am getting one. I guess it is not released yet.

[@mr_ion]

Beginner here: I want to start my journey in the home automation and would only want to use Matter/Threads enabled devices. From my understanding - I should completely ignore any Zigbee devices, as they all go through an outside cloud environment. Am I correct? Where should I start if I want to have it well done and integrated, in-house :) Thanks!

[@csongorvarga]

Yes and no. Zigbee is not Matter/Thread, so you should ignore it. But Zigbee can be local as well. Most of the commercial solutions (like Tuya, Sonoff, Smartthings) put all the logic in the cloud as it is easier to serve the same functions to thousands of customers. But there are other solutions where the logic is local and it talks to the zigbee devices locally. Matter/Thread is great, but so far I have seen smart plugs, light bulb, light switches and that's more or less all. No door sensors, motion sensors, temperature sensors, etc. That limits the what you can build with Matter/Thread only.

[@mr_ion]

@@csongorvarga Thanks for the quick reply! I'm looking at the light switch Sonoff MiniR4M but then realised that it can only do on/off and doesn't have a dimming function for example. I expect them to bring on the market more advanced devices like sensors that you mentioned. Are you optimistic about it in the next year or so? And yes, I'm looking for a local setup, or at least more secure and not dependent on various cloud(s). I'm considering using my Qnap NAS as a "cloud" replacement. Thanks for your advice!

[@GuillermoRiera]

Can I connect Sonoff M5 wifi switches to this product, in order to show them in Homekit via Matter?

[@csongorvarga]

No, the Matter sharing only applies to the Zigbee devices. M5 is not zigbee, it is a wifi switch.

[@bestyav5529]

Interesting thank you

[@nguyenvanluyen6944]

Hello, How about the zigbee radio compared to ihost?

[@csongorvarga]

I don't have an extensive Zigbee network to see any issues with it. Both of them are working fine, both of them have turbo mode, I would say it is comperable, but the external antenna of the Ultra must be somewhat better.

[@rush2ash]

I have numerous Zigbee switches paired using the Sonoff ZB Bridge Pro gateway. I believed that the new Sonoff ZB Bridge - U would be a superior gateway with its wired connection and additional features. However, I was disappointed to find out that it couldn't pair with any of the switches that are already perfectly paired via ZB Bridge Pro. This made it a complete waste of time and money.

[@csongorvarga]

Really, what devices did you test it with. I just picked a random few that I was not using in any automation scenarios and paired them without any problem. Did any of them pair? Could your device be defective?